Seniority Merger Integration Committee (AS/HA)

Seniority Merger Integration Committee Update – August 2025

August 19, 2025 09:00

Challenges to Seniority Dates Must Be Received by August 29

We want to ensure that your voice is heard regarding any challenges to the competitive bidding seniority date in your Seniority Verification Letter (SVL). All challenges must be received by August 29, 2025, in accordance with the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. For guidance, refer to the instructions included in your SVL letter and send your supporting documents to:

Association of Flight Attendants – CWA
501 Third Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20001.

If you haven’t received your SVL, don’t worry! You can request a duplicate by emailing smic@afacwa.org. When reaching out, please provide your name, employee number, council/base, and personal email address to ensure that we can process your request in the most efficient way possible.

You can also check your current competitive bidding seniority date by visiting the seniority lists for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines using the links below. Please note that these lists were compiled in April 2025, but will be updated in the future to reflect the latest initial training classes.

Click here for the Alaska Airlines seniority list >
Click here for the Hawaiian Airlines seniority list >

What Happens Next?

In September 2025, the Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) will meet in Washington, DC, at the AFA International Office. During this meeting, the Committee will review all submitted challenges related to the SVLs. If you submit a challenge, you’ll receive a follow-up letter with the outcome via US Mail.

Moving forward, we’ll also work on adjusting initial training dates for Hawaiian Flight Attendants, developing a methodology for same-day tiebreakers, and merging the two seniority lists into a single unified list.

Once a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) is ratified, the SMIC will update all Members via email to outline the seniority merger process, provide access to the merged list, and address frequently asked questions.

Timeline of the SMIC Process

Questions?

We’ve prepared a list of frequently asked questions that you can find here. If you have any other inquiries about the seniority verification letters or the seniority verification process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at smic@afacwa.org.

Previous SMIC Communications

Seniority Verification Letters Are On Their Way (July 16, 2025)
Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) FAQs (July 23, 2025)

Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) FAQs

July 23, 2025 17:00

As we shared last week, Seniority Verification Letters (SVLs) have been mailed out and have arrived at many Flight Attendants’ mailing addresses on file with the company. To help answer questions about the seniority verification process, the Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) has put together a few questions and answers to help shed more light on how the process works and what you can expect.

Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC)

What is the purpose of the SMIC?

The SMIC is responsible for compiling the necessary employment data for all Flight Attendants from their respective airlines and working as a full committee to compile a single Flight Attendant seniority list.

The SMIC is charged with resolving only two items: 1) determining any necessary adjustment for initial training days in an effort to provide consistent treatment for seniority application during initial Flight Attendant training based on data acquired; and 2) determining a consistent methodology for integrating same day seniority dates.

Who serves on the SMIC?

The Alaska (AS) and Hawaiian (HA) Master Executive Councils (MEC) selected two (2) representatives from their respective seniority lists to serve as merger representatives. The HA representatives are Jackie Chryn-Bean and Mike Correale. The AS representatives are Camile Caldwell and Marie Maxwell.

How were they selected?

The positions were posted for all Members in good standing and multiple candidates applied. The MEC, which consists of the LEC Presidents, interviewed candidates and selected the representatives for each airline.

Updates to the Seniority List

What is a bidding seniority date?

It is the seniority date assigned to you as a Flight Attendant, for example:

System seniority
Vacation awards
Monthly bidding/trips

Will my bidding seniority date change?

The AFA Constitution and By-laws section X.C.3.c.(2) specifically addresses the situation when one seniority list is based upon the beginning of initial training and the other seniority list is based upon the end of initial training. When this occurs, the seniority date of the Flight Attendants who did not receive credit for initial training will receive credit for time spent in training.

For AS, your pre-merger bidding seniority date includes initial training, therefore, your bidding seniority date will not change.

For HA, if your pre-merger bidding seniority date does not include initial training, your bidding date will be adjusted to include credit for initial training.

Will my bidding seniority number change?

Yes, your bidding seniority number will change when we integrate AS and HA together on the seniority list.

Will birthdates be used to create the integrated seniority list?

No, birthdates will not be used for any purpose.

What criteria will be used to create the integrated seniority list?

The SMIC will follow the AFA Constitution and Bylaws to complete this work. The Flight Attendants seniority bidding date, which will include credit for training, will be used to determine the order of Flight Attendants on the integrated seniority list.

What if Flight Attendants from both airlines have the same seniority date?

The SMIC will follow the AFA Constitution and Bylaws to determine a tie-breaker method that is fair and equitable for both AS and HA Flight Attendants.

Do we get to vote on the seniority list?

No, the process does not require a membership vote.

When will we see the updated seniority list?

It will be posted once we have a ratified JCBA.

Contacting the SMIC

Please email questions to smic@afacwa.org

Seniority date challenges must be mailed to and received by August 29, 2025:

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO
501 Third Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20001

Seniority Verification Letters Are On Their Way

July 16, 2025 13:00

Our Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) has finalized the Seniority Verification Letters (SVL) that were mailed earlier this week. Nearly 10,000 letters have been sent to Alaska Airlines (AS) and Hawaiian (HA) Flight Attendants, and we have received reports that some letters have already started arriving at the mailing addresses on file with the company.

Example Letters

You can find a copy of the letter for Alaska Flight Attendants here. For Hawaiian Flight Attendants, a copy of the letter is available here. Please note that the letter you receive will contain your individual information rather than placeholders.

If You Have a Non-U.S. Mailing Address

While letters have been sent to all Flight Attendants, the SMIC understands that those living and receiving mail outside the U.S. may experience delays. To help ensure timely delivery for Flight Attendants with non-U.S. mailing addresses, a copy of the letter will also be placed in the company mailbox/v-file for anyone with such an address.

Requesting a Duplicate Letter

If you do not receive your Seniority Verification Letter (SVL) by Monday, July 28, 2025, you may request a duplicate to be sent to you by email. To do so, please send your request to smic@afacwa.org. Your request must include your name, employee number, council/base, and email address. You can expect a response within five business days.

Challenges to Seniority Dates

Any challenges to the seniority date listed in your Seniority Verification Letter must be received by August 29, 2025. These challenges will be reviewed by the end of September 2025, and you will receive resolutions and explanations regarding your challenge.

Questions

If you have any questions about the seniority verification letters or the seniority verification process, please don’t hesitate to contact the SMIC at smic@afacwa.org.

Seniority Merger Integration Committee Update – May 2025

May 28, 2025 17:00

History And Importance Of AFA’s Seniority Integration Policy

The pre-merger Hawaiian and pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants cannot be combined and begin working together until FAA oversight of safety policies and procedures is completed, a joint contract is ratified, and our seniority lists are merged and accepted.

Nearly 35 years ago, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) established a seniority integration policy designed to minimize division among Flight Attendants during a merger. Having a clear and transparent policy allows us to focus on our other priorities such as maintaining job stability, improving pay, benefits, work rules, and the quality of life at the merged airline.

Following the merger of TWA and American Airlines, where all TWA Flight Attendants were placed at the bottom of the combined seniority list, our Union pushed for a law to ensure “fair and equitable” seniority integration for airline workers affected by mergers.

To address this inequity the McCaskill-Bond Amendment was enacted in 2008, mandating fair seniority integration practices. This law ensures that AFA’s Constitution and Bylaws seniority integration policy is followed, providing a standardized approach during mergers when AFA represents Flight Attendants from both pre-merger airlines.

How Will Our Two Seniority Lists Be Integrated?

The Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) consists of representatives from each pre-merger airline: two Hawaiian Flight Attendants and two Alaska Flight Attendants, along with assistance and oversight from the AFA International Office.

As the SMIC works to combine the seniority lists for the merged Alaska-Hawaiian Flight Attendant group, they will:

Compile employment data for all Flight Attendants from their respective airlines
The C&B only allows changes for initial Flight Attendant training [Section X.C.3.c]
Send out a Seniority Verification Letter (SVL) to each Flight Attendant to confirm your current seniority date
A verification period will allow each Flight Attendant to review their seniority date before the list is finalized
Adjust seniority dates to align with the first day of Flight Attendant Training
Determine a consistent method for integrating initial classes with the same start date
Maintain everyone’s existing seniority order; no Flight Attendant may leap-frog over anyone else
Generate our integrated seniority list based on each Flight Attendants adjusted seniority date
The AFA Seniority Merger Integration Process does not permit changes to seniority dates that have been handled through a grievance
The SMIC cannot change previous seniority integrations

Solidarity Always

Your AFA SMIC, Joint Negotiating Committee, MEC, and International Officers are working to ensure that our rights are protected, and Flight Attendants benefit from this merger. While mergers are often stressful as employees work through integration and many things we cannot control, we must focus on those things that we can; how we react and how we treat each other. Commit to having each other’s backs and lets eradicate any “us” versus “them” thinking as we are all on this journey together.

Seniority Integration Timeline

Introducing Our AFA Alaska Joint Negotiating Committee and Seniority Merger Integration Committee Members

November 17, 2024 13:00

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Last week, our Master Executive Council (MEC) conducted interviews for two positions on the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and two positions on the Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC). We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the candidates who participated in the interviews and demonstrated their commitment to serving our Flight Attendants. After careful consideration, we are pleased to announce the election of Virginia Fritz and Heather Reier to the JNC positions, as well as Marie Maxwell and Camile Caldwell to the SMIC positions. All will serve as the pre-merger Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant representatives on their respective committees in the upcoming merger.

Joint Negotiating Committee

Virginia Fritz

Virginia has been a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant since 2015 when she started her career at Virgin America. She has always had a passion for aviation since traveling as an unaccompanied minor at 5 years old. Her desire for aviation led her to work on a Zeppelin, as a gate agent, and as an air transportation supervisor. When Alaska Airlines bought Virgin America, and she became a member of AFA, she jumped at the first opportunity to fight for Flight Attendants by serving as the Council 35 (SFO) Scheduling Committee Chairperson from 2018 until 2022. In 2022, Virginia was elected as Council 35 LEC Vice President and began serving San Francisco Flight Attendants in additional capacities, including with local Grievance, Mobilization, and Hotel Committees, as well as other needs her local Members requested of her. In 2020, she was privileged to be able to join the PBS Committee, and in 2023, she was honored to begin serving as MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—PBS.

Virginia is honored and humbled to be elected to the Joint Negotiating Committee so that she can use her commitment and passion in advocacy to find a contract that truly helps us all be stronger together.

When not advocating for fellow Flight Attendants, Virginia resides in Los Gatos, CA, with her supportive and loving husband, their adorable pup, Strudel, and her especially Union Proud Grandmother.

Heather Reier

Heather attended her first Anchorage Local Council AFA meeting in early 2016 before even flying a trip. Being a helper by nature, she immediately joined the Reserve Committee as a Reserve Buddy. This allowed her to better learn the parts of the contract that were specific to her work and to support others in the same position.

When the Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson position became available in early 2019, Heather stepped into that role to better assist all her coworkers – while remaining a Reserve Buddy (and Interim Reserve Chairperson) until this past July. As Local Scheduling Committee Chairperson, she has been able to help countless Flight Attendants with questions about legalities, pay, hotel issues, etc. She has often been able to advocate successfully on others’ behalf.

Heather was elected Anchorage Local Executive Council Vice President for 2023-2025. She is thrilled that this expanded role allows her to fully serve her coworkers and increase her knowledge and expertise in all contract areas.

Heather and her husband, Travis, a firefighter in Anchorage, have been married for 28 years and have raised their family in Anchorage since early 1997. Heather is an animal lover. She has three dogs of her own and often has foster dogs running around. She also enjoys the outdoors (minus the mosquitos) and has recently discovered a love of gardening.

About the Joint Negotiating Committee

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) will negotiate with management to merge the collective bargaining agreements of the two pre-merger airlines into a single agreement for the newly combined airline. The full JNC will include two members from AFA Alaska, two from AFA Hawaiian, the MEC President, and the AFA Staff Negotiator.

Seniority Merger Integration Committee

Marie Maxwell

Marie Maxwell, a San Diego-based Flight Attendant, is excited to join the AFA Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) for the upcoming merger with Hawaiian Airlines. Marie previously served as a SMIC member for the Alaska Airlines/Virgin America merger in 2017/18 and brings first-hand knowledge and experience of merging two Flight Attendant seniority lists. Marie will analyze the results of the past merger and look for opportunities to make improvements during this subsequent merger within the guidelines of the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. She is ultimately committed to ensuring this is a fair and equitable process for both Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants.

Marie joined Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant in 2012. Before Alaska, she spent three decades in various marketing and product management roles in the tech sector. She brings strong analytical, project management, and communication skills to this committee and will focus on accomplishing SMIC goals promptly, fairly, and systematically.

Marie moved to San Diego when the base opened in 2013. She is originally from western Pennsylvania but has spent most of her life on the West Coast. Marie graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts. She is an avid traveler, most recently visiting the Serengeti in Tanzania on a photo Safari and hiking the mountains in Tanzania and Uganda to observe chimpanzees and gorillas in their natural habitat. When she is not working or traveling, she spends her spare time playing pickleball, hiking, and making pottery.

Camile Caldwell

Camile started her flying career with Virgin America in 2017 as a San Francisco-based Flight Attendant. Once the Virgin America/Alaska merger was complete, Camile began volunteering with AFA and has held positions on the Council 35 (SFO) Reserve and Grievance Committees. In addition to her Union roles, Camile works as an inflight instructor, where she helped develop the 2024 RT program.

Before becoming a Flight Attendant, Camile attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which she continues to call home. When she isn’t flying, you can find Camile on the hiking trails with her boxer dog, Lily, or enjoying time with friends and family.

Camile is honored to serve our workgroup during the Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines merger as part of the Seniority Merger Integration Committee and will work to create a fair, equitable, and unified seniority list. If you see her out on the line, please stop and say hi!

About The Seniority Merger Integration Committee

The Seniority Merger Integration Committee (SMIC) is responsible for gathering the information needed to merge the Flight Attendant seniority lists, evaluating any protests from Flight Attendants, and producing a final certified seniority list for the upcoming merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The full SMIC will be composed of two merger representatives from AFA Alaska and two from AFA Hawaiian.